I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 1111111111111111 IIII IIII IIII
`US007352567B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Hotelling et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,352,567 B2
`Apr. 1, 2008
`
`D322,063 S
`5,434,964 A
`5,455,466 A *
`5,864,708 A *
`6,856,506 B2 *
`6,952,343 B2 *
`7,052,296 B2 *
`7,054,145 B2 *
`2004/0145342 Al*
`2004/0233930 Al *
`2005/0047055 Al*
`2005/0083012 Al*
`2006/0159158 Al*
`
`12/1991 Oyama
`7/1995 Moss et al.
`10/1995 Parks et al. ................. 307/104
`1/1999 Croft et al. .................... 710/1
`2/2005 Doherty et al. ............. 361/683
`10/2005 Sato ........................... 361/686
`5/2006 Yang et al.
`................. 439/165
`. ............. 361/679
`5/2006 Tanaka et al.
`7/2004 Lyon .......................... 320/108
`................... 370/464
`11/2004 Colby, Jr.
`3/2005 Kelly et al. ................. 361/143
`4/2005 Lee et al.
`................... 320/114
`7/2006 Moore et al. ............... 375/130
`
`JP
`KR
`KR
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2--5085261 A * 3/2005
`2003017033 A * 3/2003
`2003094542 A * 12/2003
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Information", 2004, Pasadena
`Water & Power, http://www.ci/pasadena.ca.us/waterandpower/
`program_ev _evcharging_inductive.asp, 1 pg.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Michael Datskovskiy
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Townsend and Townsend
`and Crew LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A docking system is disclosed. The docking system includes
`a portable electronic device capable of operating in multiple
`orientations including vertical and horizontal. The docking
`system also includes a docking station configured to
`mechanically accept and operatively interface with the por(cid:173)
`table electronic device in any of its multiple orientations
`including vertical and horizontal.
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`DOCKING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC
`DEVICE THAT HAS A PLANAR LIKE
`CONFIGURATION AND THAT OPERATES IN
`MULTIPLE ORIENTATIONS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Steve Hotelling, San Jose, CA (US);
`Gus Pabon, Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 2 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/200,787
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Aug. 9, 2005
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2007/0035917 Al
`
`Feb. 15, 2007
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOlF 1116
`(52) U.S. Cl. ...................... 361/683; 361/681; 361/686;
`439/165; 439/341; 312/223.2
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 361/683,
`361/686, 679, 685, 730, 755; 248/122.1,
`248/923, 346.1, 179,346,918,489,510,
`248/289.1, 296, 278, 279; 312/235 A, 223.1-223.3;
`395/282, 283, 891, 892, 825, 500; 370/821;
`345/156, 1.1, 169, 905; 439/159, 165, 142,
`439/341
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`D321,179 S
`
`10/1991 Oyama
`
`24 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`c,ao _____ c 14----,
`
`188
`
`I
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`
`1
`
`InVue Exhibit 1003
`InVue v. MTI
`
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`US 7,352,567 B2
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Tech Wow!", Sensors Online, http://www.sensorsmag.com/
`techwow/consumer/main.shtml, 4 pgs.
`"Custom Power Solutions", M Power, http://www.mpoweruk.com/
`chargers.htm, 11 pgs.
`"Era Innovative: The Universal Inductive Charging System" http://
`www.era.de/englisch/news/ _induktiv.htm, 1 pg.
`"Inductive Charging", Salcomp, http://www.salcomp.com/research/
`inductivecharging.asp, 1 pg.
`
`"Halfbakery: Power Spots", http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/
`Power_20Spots, 3 pgs.
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/423,490 entitled "Media Player System", filed
`Apr. 25, 2003.
`U.S. Appl. No. 11/125,883 entitled "Universal Docking Station for
`Hand Held Electronic Devices", filed May 9, 2005.
`U.S. Appl. No. 11/212,302 entitled "Docking Station for Hand Held
`Electronic Devices", filed Aug. 24, 2005.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`InVue Exhibit 1003
`InVue v. MTI
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr.1, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
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`US 7,352,567 B2
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`Apr.1, 2008
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr.1, 2008
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`

`

`US 7,352,567 B2
`
`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR
`DOCKING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC
`DEVICE THAT HAS A PLANAR LIKE
`CONFIGURATION AND THAT OPERATES IN
`MULTIPLE ORIENTATIONS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to docking stations
`for portable electronic devices. More particularly, the
`present invention relates to docking stations for portable
`electronic devices, which have planar like configurations
`and that operate in multiple orientations. Even more par(cid:173)
`ticularly, the present invention relates to improved tech(cid:173)
`niques for transferring data and/or power between portable
`electronic devices and the docking stations.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`and operatively interface with the portable electronic device
`in any of its multiple orientations including vertical and
`horizontal.
`The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a dock(cid:173)
`ing system. The docking system includes a portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device having a front side and substantially planar
`back side opposite the front side and including a full screen
`display at the front side and a power transfer mechanism at
`the substantially planar back side. The full screen display is
`10 configured to display content in an upright manner whether
`the portable electronic device is used horizontally or verti(cid:173)
`cally. The docking system also includes a docking platform
`having a substantially planar front side configured to support
`the substantially planar backside of the portable electronic
`15 device thereon, and including a power transfer mechanism at
`the substantially planar front side. The power transfer
`mechanism of the portable electronic device and power
`transfer mechanism of the docking platform are aligned
`along an axis and juxtaposed relative to one another when
`the portable electronic device is supported by the docking
`platform. The power transfer mechanism of the portable
`electronic device and the power transfer mechanism of the
`docking platform are rotationally symmetric about the axis
`such that they maintain communication with one another
`whether the portable electronic device is placed horizontally
`or vertically on the docking platform.
`The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a dock-
`ing station. The docking station includes a platform that
`allows a substantially planar portable electronic device to be
`docked in multiple orientations about an axis. The docking
`station also includes an interface mechanism located at the
`platform and configured to interface with a corresponding
`interface mechanism of the portable electronic device when
`the portable electronic device is docked to the platform in
`any of its multiple orientations.
`The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a dock(cid:173)
`ing station. The docking station includes a substantially
`planar platform for receiving a substantially planar portable
`electronic device thereon. The substantially planar platform
`40 receives the portable electronic device in a plurality of
`orientations about an axis. The plurality of orientations
`includes at least a horizontal orientation and a vertical
`orientation. The docking station also includes an interface
`mechanism disposed in the substantially planar platform and
`45 having a center located at the axis. The interface mechanism
`communicates with a corresponding interface mechanism
`disposed in the substantially planar portable electronic
`device when the substantially planar portable electronic
`device is placed on the substantially planar platform in any
`50 of the plurality of orientations. The docking station further
`includes one or more alignment features for aligning a center
`of the corresponding interface mechanism of the substan(cid:173)
`tially planar portable electronic device with the axis when
`the substantially planar portable electronic device is placed
`55 on the substantially planar platform in any of the plurality of
`orientations.
`The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a por(cid:173)
`table electronic device configured to operate in multiple
`orientations including horizontal and vertical orientations.
`60 The portable electronic device displays content in an upright
`manner in both the horizontal and vertical orientations. The
`portable electronic device has a substantially planar back
`side for placement on a planar front side of a docking
`platform in each of its multiple orientations. The portable
`65 electronic device includes an interface mechanism located at
`the back side of the portable electronic device and config(cid:173)
`ured to interface with a corresponding interface mechanism
`
`Many electronic devices include a docking station for 20
`providing a convenient interface for transferring data
`between the electronic device and other devices, such as a
`computers, speakers, monitors, and printers. The docking
`station may also include an interface for connecting to a
`power source so that the electronic device can be powered 25
`or charged ( e.g., battery). In most cases, the docking stations
`include a cavity within which the electronic device is
`received. The cavity is configured to have a size and shape
`that coincides with the size and shape of the electronic
`device so that the electronic device rests snuggly within the 30
`cavity. Furthermore, the cavity typically includes a connec-
`tor therein for operatively engaging a port of the electronic
`device when the electronic device is positioned within the
`cavity. The connector is typically coupled to the external
`systems (e.g., computer, power source) through a cable so 35
`that communications between the electronic device and the
`external systems can take place.
`Recently, inductive charging units have been imple(cid:173)
`mented in electronic devices, the most famous of which is
`the Sonic Care toothbrush manufactured by Philips of the
`Netherlands. The toothbrush and the charging dock form the
`two part transformer with the primary induction coil con(cid:173)
`tained in the dock and the secondary induction coil con(cid:173)
`tained in the toothbrush. When the end of toothbrush is
`placed in a cavity of the dock, the complete transform is
`created and the induced current in the secondary coil charges
`the battery.
`Inductive charging pads have also been developed. The
`pad works similar to the toothbrush, however, the pad
`typically includes multiple transformers so that the elec(cid:173)
`tronic device can be placed in any orientation on the pad.
`When the electronic device is placed on the pad, one of the
`transformers of the pad induces current in the transformer of
`the electronic device, and this current charges the battery of
`the electronic device. Unfortunately, the efficiency of the
`transform is not very good since the transformer located on
`the electronic device typically does not align with the
`transformers of the pad, i.e., does not create closed magnetic
`loop and therefore there is no direct inductive coupling.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a docking
`system. The docking system includes a portable electronic
`device capable of operating in multiple orientations includ(cid:173)
`ing vertical and horizontal. The docking system also
`includes a docking station configured to mechanically accept
`
`15
`
`InVue Exhibit 1003
`InVue v. MTI
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`

`

`US 7,352,567 B2
`
`3
`located at the front side of the docking platform when the
`portable electronic device is placed on the docking platform
`in any of its multiple orientations.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`10
`
`25
`
`The invention will be readily understood by the following
`detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like
`structural elements, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a docking system, in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 2A is a perspective diagram of a docking system
`including a horizontally positioned portable electronic
`device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 2B is a perspective diagram of a docking system
`including a vertically positioned portable electronic device,
`in accordance with one embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`FIGS. 3A and 3B are side views of a docking system, in 20
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4Ais a front view of a docking station, in accordance
`with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4B is a front view of a docking station with a
`horizontally positioned portable electronic device positioned
`thereon, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 4C is a front view of a docking station with a
`vertically positioned portable electronic device positioned
`thereon, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. SA is a front view of a docking station, in accordance
`with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. SB is a front view of a docking station with a
`horizontally positioned portable electronic device positioned
`thereon, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. SC is a front view of a docking station with a
`vertically positioned portable electronic device positioned
`thereon, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`FIG. 6 is a front view of a docking station, in accordance
`with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a docking system, in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of a docking system, in accordance 45
`with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of an
`interface system that uses inductive coils, in accordance
`with one embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a diagram of an interface system that uses 50
`electrical contacts, in accordance with one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 11 is a diagram of an interface system that uses
`electrical contacts, in accordance with one embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams of another style of
`docking system, in accordance with one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram of another docking
`system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`4
`(e.g., vertical and horizontal). By way of example, the
`portable electronic device may include a display that dis(cid:173)
`plays content in an upright manner regardless of the orien(cid:173)
`tation of the portable electronic device. One aspect of the
`invention relates to techniques for mechanically supporting
`and aligning the portable electronic device with the docking
`station. Another aspect of the invention relates to techniques
`for efficiently transferring data and/or power between por(cid:173)
`table electronic device and the docking station. In one
`embodiment, the mechanisms used to transfer data and/or
`power are rotationally symmetric so as to support the
`various orientations of the portable electronic device when
`the portable electronic device is docked to the docking
`station.
`Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
`15 reference to FIGS. 1-13. However, those skilled in the art
`will readily appreciate that the detailed description given
`herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory
`purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited
`embodiments.
`FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a docking system 10, in
`accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
`The docking system 10 includes a docking station 12 and a
`portable electronic device 14 that is capable of docking into
`the docking station 14.
`The docking station 12 provides a platform for quickly
`and easily coupling the portable electronic device 14 to
`another system or device as for example a computer, a power
`source, or peripheral devices such as a monitor, a keyboard,
`30 speakers, etc. A primary advantage of using a docking
`station 12 is that the user does not have to separately connect
`each of these various devices with the portable electronic
`device.
`The portable electronic device 14 may be any electronic
`35 device that is easily transported by a user. By way of
`example, the portable electronic device 14 may generally
`correspond to computing devices such as laptops, tablet
`PC's, PDA's, media players (e.g., music players, video
`players or game players), cell phones, smart phones, GPS
`40 device, electronic books, and/or the like.
`In one particular embodiment, the portable electronic
`device 14 is a handheld computing device. As used herein,
`the term "hand held" means that the electronic device is
`typically operated while being held in a hand. The hand held
`electronic device may be directed at one-handed operation
`and/or two-handed operation. In one-handed operation, a
`single hand is used to both support the device as well as to
`perform operations with the user interface during use. Cel(cid:173)
`lular phones, PDAs, cameras, media players, and GPS units
`are examples of portable devices that can be operated solely
`with one hand. In the case of a cell phone, for example, a
`user may grasp the phone in one hand between the fingers
`and the palm and use the thumb to make entries using keys,
`buttons or a joy pad. In two-handed operation, one hand is
`used to support the device while the other hand performs
`operations with a user interface during use or alternatively
`both hands support the device as well as perform operations
`during use. Tablet PCs, electronic books and game players
`are examples of portable device that are typically operated
`with two hands. In the case of the tablet PC, for example, the
`user may grasp the tablet with one hand and make entries in
`the tablet using the other hand, or alternatively grasp the
`tablet in both hands and make entries using either or both
`hands while holding the tablet PC.
`More particularly, the portable electronic device 14 may
`correspond to those portable electronic devices that are
`embodied in a picture frame format. That is, those devices
`
`55
`
`60
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The invention generally pertains to a docking system that 65
`includes a docking station and a planar like portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device, which can be used in multiple orientations
`
`16
`
`InVue Exhibit 1003
`InVue v. MTI
`
`

`

`US 7,352,567 B2
`
`5
`that are substantially planar and configured with a full screen
`display or a near full screen display where the display fills
`up substantially the entire front surface of the portable
`electronic device 14. It may extend edge to edge or it may
`fit within a small bezel of the housing at the edge of the
`device. The full screen display may have a variety of
`different configurations depending on the overall footprint of
`the device. If the device 14 is wide, the full screen display
`may have a traditional aspect ratio of about 4:3. If the device
`14 is elongated, the full screen display may have an aspect 10
`ratio that is more panoramic such as 16:9. Examples of
`picture frame electronic devices are tablet PCs, and elec(cid:173)
`tronic books. It should be noted, however, that almost any of
`the devices mentioned above may be configured in this
`manner. Examples of full screen handheld devices can be 15
`found in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 60/658,777, 11/057,
`050 and 11/115,539, all of which are herein incorporated by
`reference.
`Referring to the docking station 12, the docking station 12
`may be a stand alone unit that communicates with other 20
`devices or systems through wired or wireless connections, or
`alternatively, the docking station 12 may be integrated
`directly into the other devices or systems. In the case of a
`stand alone unit, the docking station 12 may include con(cid:173)
`nectors, jacks, ports or transceivers that provide external 25
`connections to the other devices or systems. In the case of
`an integrated docking station, the docking station 12 may be
`hard wired directly to the components of the host device. In
`either case, the docking station 12 includes a holding system
`for receiving and supporting the portable electronic device 30
`14 when the portable electronic device 14 is desired to be
`docked. The holding system may be configured to support
`the portable electronic device 14 in an upright (e.g., verti(cid:173)
`cal), laid down (e.g., horizontal) or tilted position (e.g.,
`angled) while maintaining/allowing access to the U.I. por- 35
`tion (e.g., at least the display) of the portable electronic
`device 14.
`In one particular embodiment, the docking station 12 is
`configured like an easel. In this embodiment, the docking
`station 12 may include a vertical or angled platform on
`which the backside of the portable electronic device 14 rests
`when the portable electronic 14 is docked in the docking
`station 12. This is arrangement is particularly useful with
`portable electronic devices with a planar like configuration
`such as those with a full screen display. The docking station
`12 may further include a fixed or adjustable leg or arm for
`supporting the platform and thus the portable electronic
`device 14 in one or more positions.
`Alternatively, the docking station 12 may include a cavity
`or basin for receiving an edge or end of the portable 50
`electronic device 14. Examples of cavity style docking
`stations can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
`10/423,490, 11/125,883, both of which are herein incorpo(cid:173)
`rated by reference.
`In order to operatively connect the portable electronic 55
`device 14 with the docking station 12, the docking station 12
`may include an interface system 16 that interfaces with a
`corresponding interface system 18 on the portable electronic
`device 14 when the portable electronic device 14 is docked
`in the docking station 12. The interface systems 16 and 18 60
`may be widely varied and may include various mechanisms
`for transferring data and/or power between the portable
`electronic device 14 and the docking station 12. For
`example, each of the systems 16 and 18 may include a power
`transfer mechanism 20 and a data transfer mechanism 22. 65
`When docked, the data transfer mechanisms 22 transfer data
`between the docking station 12 and the portable electronic
`
`6
`device 14. Data can therefore be uploaded or downloaded to
`and from the portable electronic device 14. Furthermore, the
`power transfer mechanisms 20 transfer power from the
`docking station 12 to the portable electronic device 14. The
`power transfer can be used to power and/or charge the
`portable electronic device 14 when it is docked. In some
`cases, the data and power mechanisms are separate compo(cid:173)
`nents while in other cases the data and power mechanisms
`are integrated together.
`The interfacing systems 16 and 18, including both the data
`mechanisms 22 and the power mechanisms 20, can be
`embodied in various forms and combinations including
`contact based and non-contact based platforms. By way of
`example, contact based platforms may include electrical
`contacts that are capable of transferring data and/or power
`when the electrical contacts are electrically engaged or in
`contact with one another. Non-contact based platforms, on
`the other hand, may include inductive devices, optical
`devices, or wireless devices that are capable of transferring
`data and/or power without mating contact.
`When electrical contacts are used, the electrical contacts
`may be implemented in connectors and/or they may be
`surface or flush mounted on the housings of the portable
`electronic device and the docking station. In either case,
`each device includes a set of corresponding contacts that
`when in contact allow data and power to be transferred
`therethrough. With regards to connectors, the electrical
`contacts may be tabs that are positioned side by side, or they
`may be arranged as pins. With regards to flush mounts, the
`electrical contacts may be flat planar contacts that lie flush
`on the surface of the housing. In some cases, the flush
`mounts may be spring-loaded or utilize a flexure in order to
`ensure mating contact with each other when the portable
`electronic device is docked. In all of these arrangements, the
`electrical contacts are separately wired to a control board
`(e.g., PCB) located inside the respective devices. The con-
`trol board routes the signals to their desired location within
`the devices. By way of example, the electrical contacts may
`be directly or indirectly (e.g., via wires) soldered to the
`40 control board. Alternatively a flex circuit may be used.
`With regards to non-contact platforms, inductive coils can
`be placed in each device to transfer both power and data. The
`inductive coils are typically hidden from view behind the
`housings of each device and therefore they are more aes-
`45 thetically pleasing than electrical contacts, which need to be
`exposed in order to operate effectively. Furthermore, induc(cid:173)
`tively based systems are more robust than electrical contacts.
`For example, there are no contacts to wear out and/or
`oxidize.
`Wireless devices may include receivers, transmitters, and
`transceivers of various types including RF, Bluetooth,
`802.11 UWB (ultra wide band), and the like. Like inductive
`devices, wireless devices are typically hidden from view and
`therefore are more aesthetically pleasing and robust (e.g.,
`fully enclosed with no lines, or breaks in the surface of the
`housings). Optical devices may include a light source and
`light detector for data, and a light source and photovoltaics
`device for power. Each of these devices are typically posi(cid:173)
`tioned behind a translucent region of the housing so as to
`allow proper communication therebetween. With regards to
`data, an IR link may be used.
`The docking system 10 may use any combination of
`contact and non-contact platforms in order to serve the needs
`of the portable electronic device 14.
`In one particular embodiment, both power and data are
`transferred with non contact based platforms, and more
`particularly non contact based platforms that are enclosed
`
`17
`
`InVue Exhibit 1003
`InVue v. MTI
`
`

`

`US 7,352,567 B2
`
`7
`such as inductive based systems and wireless systems. In
`inductive based systems, the docking station 12 includes the
`primary coil and the portable electronic device 14 includes
`the secondary coil. In wireless systems, both the docking
`station 12 and the portable electronic device 14 include their
`own transceiver that both transmits and receives data. In one
`implementation, both data and power are transferred via the
`inductance-based system. For example, low frequency elec(cid:173)
`trical current may be passed from the primary coil to the
`secondary coil in order to power or charge the portable
`electronic device and high frequency current may be passed
`from one coil to the other in order to send/receive data. The
`data and power inductors may be separate, integral or they
`may be superimposed on one another. In another implemen(cid:173)
`tation, power is transferred via an inductance-based system
`and data is transferred via a wireless system. The combina(cid:173)
`tion of inductance and wireless provides an efficient way to
`transfer both power and data while keeping both the docking
`station and portable electronic device fully enclosed.
`In some cases, the interfacing systems need to be properly
`aligned in order to ensure proper connections and therefore
`efficient power and data transfer between the docking station
`and the portable electronic device. This is especially impor(cid:173)
`tant for electrical contacts, inductive transformers and opti(cid:173)
`cal devices, and less important for wireless devices. Accord(cid:173)
`ingly, the docking station 12 may include one or more
`alignment features 24 that help register or align the portable
`electronic device 14 with the docking station 12 and further
`to help align the corresponding interface mechanisms with
`one another. The alignment features 24 may be fixed or
`adjustable, and may include such elements as pins, shelves,
`guides, reference surfaces, keyways, and the like. The align(cid:173)
`ment features 24 may also provide visual alignment clues or
`fidicuaries for helping the user position the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 14 on the docking station 12.
`Although not shown, in some cases, the docking system
`10 may further include retention mechanisms 25 for secur(cid:173)
`ing the portable electronic device 14 to the docking station
`12. By way of example, the retention mechanisms 25 may
`include one or more magnets, snaps, latches, catches, fric(cid:173)
`tion couplings, detents, tabs, slots, and/or the like. In some
`cases, the docking system 10 may even include a lock so that
`portable electronic device 14 is only removable if the user
`has the proper key, combination or access code.
`In accordance with one embodiment, the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 14